Proto-oncogene

Proto-oncogene

A Proto-oncogene is a normal gene that can become an oncogene due to mutations or increased expression. Proto-oncogenes code for proteins that help to regulate cell growth and differentiation. Proto-oncogenes are often involved in signal transduction and execution of mitogenic signals, usually through their protein products.

Function

Upon activation, a proto-oncogene (or its product) becomes a tumor-inducing agent, an oncogene. Examples of proto-oncogenes include RAS, WNT, MYC, ERK, and TRK. The MYC gene is implicated in Burkitt's Lymphoma, which starts when a chromosome translocation moves an enhancer sequence within the vicinity of the MYC gene. The MYC gene codes for widely used transcription factors.

Activation

Proto-oncogenes can become oncogenes by a small number of mutations. Gain-of-function mutations in proto-oncogenes can result in a self-sufficient growth signal. They may also produce a hyperactive protein product (an enzyme) or result in overexpression of a normal product.

See also

• Oncogene
• Tumor suppressor gene
• Cancer
• Mutation
• Cell growth
• Differentiation

References

Proto-oncogene Resources
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